Gourmet Gardener: Things to look out for in August
August is a lovely month to sit back and enjoy what you have achieved through the growing season. The month brings baskets of fresh food from the garden to enjoy, from tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and courgettes to the long awaited corn on the cobs!
The sunflowers are looking glorious and the pumpkins and winter squash are taking off.
In August it is important to be on daily disease control. The days are humid and warm and the temperature dips in the night, leading to tomato blight developing. A daily inspection is key to protecting and prolonging your crops and ventilating continuously is essential.
Corn
Corn seeds were planted back in April and, since then, have become the towering giants of the polytunnel, standing tall and sturdy with swelling cobs at the leaf joints. The number of cobs on each plant depends on a couple of factors but also a bit of luck as to how much heat and sun you can give the plant.
Corn becomes ready to harvest usually in a glut, all at once. Make sure corn is picked at the right moment. You can tell by the silks at the end of the cob, they turn brown and begin to shrivel when they are ready to harvest. Peel back the end of the cob to expose the kernels and, if the fluid is milky, then they are ready to pick. If the fluid is clear then it is too early.
Some cobs will not have the full complement of kernels, this is due to unsuccessful pollination a few weeks back. Leaving the cobs on the plants will not grow more kernels so just enjoy what is there.
Pumpkins and squash
Pumpkins and squash will begin to engulf anything in its path, however, once the fruits have set, it is a good idea to manage the green leaves and focus the energy on ripening the setting fruit. Train the stems to grow where they will do the least damage. Now is the cut off for larger squash or pumpkins. You can remove any newly swelling fruit as they won’t have time to ripen from this stage on.
I have been growing some varieties on a squash arch which seems to be successful. The squash will ripen much faster in the polytunnel than the ones grown outdoors. If they are growing on the ground, place some straw underneath so they don’t become spoiled.
Sowing
If you made winter sowings in July there may be no need to make more in August. However if you want staggered crops through Winter and early Spring, you can sow a second batch in august so you can have enough produce to get you through.
Timely tips for the garden
● Regular harvesting is essential in order to keep plants cropping. Look under leaves for lurking giants.
● Pinch out the tips of basil so they don't get a chance to flower, and in general try not to let your salad crops bolt in the heat. Bolting is when they send up a flower stalk in order to set seed, this usually happens when the plant is under stress for example too much heat.
● Harvest and dry onions in a cool dry place. There are plaiting techniques which allow you to hang many onions in a small space to dry - think French!
● Time to sow French beans, Swiss chard, winter lettuce, cabbage and kale.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
• Tara Kate Linnane is passionate about sustainability and growing all things edible.
Together with her husband Barry, she has embarked on a journey of designing edible spaces and getting others started on their gardening adventures.
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